Organic functional coatings have emerged as transformative materials in addressing critical industrial challenges, bridging gaps between material performance, sustainability, and application-specific demands. These coatings integrate diverse functionalities—thermal regulation, optical transparency, self-cleaning, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial activity—into ultra-thin, adaptable layers. Recent innovations in polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and bio-inspired design have expanded their capabilities, enabling multifunctional synergies previously unattainable. However, challenges persist in balancing performance metrics, ensuring environmental compatibility, and transitioning lab-scale breakthroughs to industrial-scale production. This Research Topic seeks to consolidate cutting-edge research that redefines the boundaries of organic coatings, prioritizing scalable engineering solutions while aligning with global sustainability goals.
This Research Topic aims to address the critical need for organic coatings that harmonize advanced functionality with manufacturability and ecological responsibility. Key objectives include: (1) leveraging emerging polymer architectures, nanomaterial hybrids, and biomimetic strategies to unlock synergistic multifunctionality; (2) developing fabrication techniques compatible with large-area, energy-efficient processing (e.g., roll-to-roll, spray deposition, 3D printing, self-assembly); (3) establishing predictive models for coating durability and performance under engineering conditions. We encourage submissions that explore novel design paradigms—such as stimuli-responsive "smart" coatings, self-healing systems, or energy-managing interfaces—and emphasize scalable synthesis, characterization, and validation. Contributions bridging fundamental science with industrial case studies are particularly welcome, as are studies assessing lifecycle impacts and circular economy integration. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, this collection will chart pathways for next-generation coatings to advance sectors ranging from renewable energy and biomedical devices to aerospace and smart infrastructure.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and short communications addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Multifunctional design strategies: Bio-inspired surfaces, nanocomposite hybrids, stimuli-responsive materials, and multi-layer architectures.
• Scalable fabrication: Low-cost manufacturing techniques, green chemistry approaches, and process-structure-property relationships.
• Performance optimization: Advanced characterization of mechanical, optical, or barrier properties; AI-driven material discovery; in-situ/operando analysis.
• Industrial applications: Case studies in energy systems (e.g., solar coatings), healthcare (antiviral surfaces), automotive (wear-resistant layers), or corrosion protection.
• Sustainability: Recyclable/biodegradable coatings, reduced VOC formulations, and environmental impact assessments.
Manuscripts should emphasize innovation in material design, rigorous experimental/theoretical validation, and translational relevance. Interdisciplinary studies combining chemistry, engineering, and data science are encouraged. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure scientific rigor and alignment with the Research Topic’s vision. Join us in shaping the future of high-performance, sustainable coatings for tomorrow’s technological challenges.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: Organic functional coatings, multifunctional materials, nanocomposite, self-cleaning functional interface, corrosion protection, sustainable manufacturing
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
